[78-L] Christmas Music

[Michael Biel]

Jack Palmer wrote:
> OK Mike,
>     You show the records but how would I ever hear them.  We got a radio 
> when I was about 6 years old but never had a record player.  I am sure some 
> Christmas songs appeared on the radio but not from records.  They would have 
> been live in those days.  Were any recordings played on the radio at all in 
> 1920 or 1930?  I realize I am changing my statement but I still feel 
> deprived.    Jack
>
>   

I cited the records because you asked if this type existed.  But it also 
lists the songs that were a common part of Christmas during that era, 
and once broadcasting was established these songs and others, including 
long-form presentations of Christmas stories, would have been performed 
on radio endlessly.  The playing of these recordings on the air would 
not be necessary to indoctrinate all into the American form of Christmas 
tradition.  And yes, local stations would play records, but not the 
networks.  But someone listening to radio would have a much wider range 
of performances than someone only listening to the records they happend 
to have bought.  New songs get played over the radio constantly, but you 
would have to get up and go out and buy a record of the new song in 
order to hear it on your phonograph.  Same with new performers.  Or 
performers doing new performances of new or old songs that they might 
not have recorded yet.  All of the songs you seem to feel you were 
deprived of by not having a phonograph were heard on RADIO FIRST.  RCA 
Victor had a slogan "Music You Want, When You Want It." but how do you 
know you want it if you haven't heard it yet.  So you are more likely to 
hear a new song on radio than on your own phonograph.  So when Crosby 
sang "White Christmas" on radio in Dec 1941 you couldn't have bought it 
on record until the fall of 42.  The NEW traditions were made on radio 
before they would get to your phonograph.   You weren't deprived, you 
were better off.  Those who only had phonographs were worse off than 
those with radios. 

Make you feel better now??

Now ask ME how I would have become acquainted with the Hannukah 
traditions!  You can count on your fingers all the Hannukah 78s that 
were ever released.  Talk about being deprived and discriminated 
against.  Oh, and by the way, your Christmas is over by now, right?  We 
still have another day of Hannukah to go.  XM's Radio Hannukah is still 
on the air while the Christmas channels are departing.  You're taking 
down your decorations, dragging out your old dried up tree, throwing out 
all the wrapping paper, and I am still twirling my dreidel,  wrapping 
presents, and setting fire to the menorah.  Tough luck, old chap.

Mike (HAPPY HANNUKAH!!!!!) Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com 


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel at mbiel.com>
>
>   
>> From: Jack Palmer <vdalhart at earthlink.net>
>>     
>>>     So far I stand by my statement.  No one has listed any true Christmas
>>> Songs like we hear at Christmas today that came out before I was 9 or 10
>>> years old.  Nothing for my early years even if we had a record player.  I
>>> was denied a traditional Christmas raising.    Jack
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>> I don't know what you are talking about.  The 1916 Victor catalog lists
>> over 30 Christmas sides in a special section.  Four versions of Adeste
>> Fideles, two each of Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon A
>> Midnight Clear, Silent Night,  Star of Bethleham, and other titles
>> include the First Nowell, Birthday of a King, Joy to the World, While
>> Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night, Behold Christmas Lights,
>> several Christmas medleys, one of which includes God Rest Ye Merry
>> Gentlemen and Little Town of Bethleham, and, of course there's Christmas
>> Morning at Clancy's.  Two versions of Der Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)
>> are listed under German Records.  There are a couple of readings of
>> Scrooge.  Harry Humphrey read from Luke 2 with the Victor Orch playing
>> It Came Upon A Midnight Clear on the other side.  Jingle Bells is listed
>> under Oh You Silv'ry Bells by the Peerless Quar.  Hayden Quar does a
>> song Winter backed with Silver Bell.   Oh Holy Night was mentioned in
>> another post as Cantique de Noel and even Caruso recorded it.  Santa
>> Claus Hides in the Phonograph was from 1922 or 23.  There must be
>> recordings of A Visit From St. Nick from this era as well.
>>
>> WHAT MUCH MORE DO YOU WANT?????????????????????
>>
>> Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com
>>
>>
>> _________________________________